A modeling study of saltwater intrusion in the Andarax delta area using multiple data sources

TY - CONF

T1 - A modeling study of saltwater intrusion in the Andarax delta area using multiple data sources

AU - Antonsson, Arni Valur

AU - Engesgaard, Peter Knudegaard

AU - Jorreto, Sara

AU - Pulido-Bosch, Antonio

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - In groundwater model development, construction of the conceptual model is one of the (initial and) critical aspects that determines the model reliability and applicability in terms of e.g. system (hydrogeological) understanding, groundwater quality predictions, and general use in water resources context. The validity of a conceptual model is determined by different factors, where both data quantity and quality is of crucial importance. Often, when dealing with saltwater intrusion, data is limited. Therefore, using different sources (and types) of data can be beneficial and increase the understanding of the investigated system.A density dependent saltwater intrusion model has been established for the coastal zone of the Andarax aquifer, SE Spain, with the aim of obtaining a coherent (conceptual) understanding of the area. Recently drilled deep boreholes in  the Andarax delta revealed a far reaching saltwater intrusion in the area. Furthermore, the geological information obtained from these boreholes laid a foundation for a new hydrogeological conceptual model of the area, which we aim to assess in this simulation study.Appraisal of the conceptual model of the Andarax delta area is conducted using different types of data that have been gathered and analyzed; these include measurements of hydraulic head, salinity (EC), geochemistry and electrical resistivity. The approach here has been to construct a saltwater intrusion model of the area with the aim of obtaining a model that is reasonably consistent in terms of all the available data types. This study shows the added value of using different types of data as well as some of the limitations and pitfalls it can have.

AB - In groundwater model development, construction of the conceptual model is one of the (initial and) critical aspects that determines the model reliability and applicability in terms of e.g. system (hydrogeological) understanding, groundwater quality predictions, and general use in water resources context. The validity of a conceptual model is determined by different factors, where both data quantity and quality is of crucial importance. Often, when dealing with saltwater intrusion, data is limited. Therefore, using different sources (and types) of data can be beneficial and increase the understanding of the investigated system.A density dependent saltwater intrusion model has been established for the coastal zone of the Andarax aquifer, SE Spain, with the aim of obtaining a coherent (conceptual) understanding of the area. Recently drilled deep boreholes in  the Andarax delta revealed a far reaching saltwater intrusion in the area. Furthermore, the geological information obtained from these boreholes laid a foundation for a new hydrogeological conceptual model of the area, which we aim to assess in this simulation study.Appraisal of the conceptual model of the Andarax delta area is conducted using different types of data that have been gathered and analyzed; these include measurements of hydraulic head, salinity (EC), geochemistry and electrical resistivity. The approach here has been to construct a saltwater intrusion model of the area with the aim of obtaining a model that is reasonably consistent in terms of all the available data types. This study shows the added value of using different types of data as well as some of the limitations and pitfalls it can have.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - modelling

KW - coastal aquifer

KW - density-dependent flow

KW - saltwater intrusion

M3 - Paper

T2 - TIAC07,  III International Symposium on Technology of Seawater Intrusion into Coastal Aquifers,  II International Symposium on Coastal Aquifers and Desalination Plants

Y2 - 16 October 2007 through 19 October 2007

ER -